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Quantification of antibiotic utilization is an essential component of antibiotic stewardship programs. In this multicentric study, we used different metrics to evaluate inpatient antibiotic use in children. The study objectives were to describe point prevalence of antibiotic use by indication and patient characteristics, to evaluate DOTs, LOTs and PDDs, and to compare PDDs to DDDs, which assume average maintenance dose per day in adults. All children hospitalized on the days of the study were included. Trained personnel collected demographic and clinical data from patients’ clinical records. We recorded information about antibiotics administered on the date of data collection, and in the previous 30 days of hospitalization. Of 810 patients, 380 (46.9%; CI 95%: 43.4–50.4) received one or more antibiotics; prevalence of use was 27.0% for prophylaxis (219/810), and 20.7% (168/810) for treatment. Overall, 587 drugs were issued to the 380 patients receiving antibiotics (1.5 antibiotic per patient). When considering treatments, DOT and LOT per 100 patient-days were 30.5 and 19.1, respectively, resulting in a DOT/LOT ratio of 1.6. PDDs increased with age and approached DDDs only in children aged ≥ 10 years; the ratio between PDDs estimated in children aged ≥ 10 years and in 0–11 month-old infants ranged from 2 for sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, to 25 for meropenem. Our results confirm that DOT, LOT and PDD are better alternatives to DDD in children.

Background Surveillance of Surgical Site Infections (SSI) in 2010 found 39 % compliance with hospital guidelines in Piedmont (Italy). The aim of the study was to estimate the appropriate use of antimicrobial prophylaxis and compliance with hospitals guidelines in surgical wards. Methods This survey study took place in 21 surgery wards of 4 public hospitals. Forms were completed by public health resident doctors together with a medical ward referent and infection control nurses. 15 consecutive surgical procedures were randomly chosen from each ward. A total of 320 cases were analyzed. The study period was from July 2012 to January 2013. Data were collected using a survey form. A final score variable from 0 to 4 was given to each case. The results were compared with hospital and international guidelines. Data were analyzed using Epi-Info software. Results Of the 320 cases collected, 63 were excluded; of the remaining 257 cases, 56.4 % of the procedures were appropriate (score 4), 15.2 % were acceptable and 28.4 % were not acceptable. The study found an unjustified continuation of antimicrobial prophylaxis in 17.1 % of the 257 cases, an unjustified re-start of antimicrobial therapy in 9.7 % and a re-dosing omission in 7.8 %. Conclusions The study demonstrated critical problems in antimicrobial prophylaxis management in surgical wards due to a lack of compliance between hospitals and national guidelines, a shortage of specific and updated recommendations for some surgical interventions and incorrect local specific procedures. Coordination between local and national recommendations, strengthening of evidence based decisions and continuous sharing of policy updates are needed.

We identified 205 newborns at risk of congenital infection based on their mothers' immunological status during pregnancy, using the criteria established by the European Research Network on Congenital Toxoplasmosis to define the likelihood of infection in pregnant women. Of the 205 newborns, 60 (29.2%) were born to mothers with documented seroconversion, 49 (23.9%) to mothers with probable infection, 60 (29.2%) to mothers with possible infection, and 36 (17.6%) to mothers who were unlikely to be infected. Infection was transmitted to the child in 13 out of 60 cases (21.6%) of seroconversion, in 2 out of 49 (4.1%) cases of probable infections and in none of the possible and unlikely cases. The results were further analysed considering only the 109 newborns of mothers with confirmed and probable infection; in this group, toxoplasmosis was not transmitted to any of the 45 newborns of mothers infected in the first trimester of pregnancy, whereas it was transmitted to 5 out of 29 (17.2%) cases of seroconversion and 2 out of 12 (16.6%) with probable infection in the second trimester, and to 8 out of 23 (34.8%) with confirmed infection in the third trimester (no probable infections were dated in the third trimester). Among the newborns of mothers with seroconversion, the risk of symptomatic infection was 10.4% in the second trimester and 8.7% in the third trimester. Conclusion: the authors have quantified the risk of transmission of toxoplasmosis infection, not only in cases of seroconversion, as reported by others, but also in infections defined as probable or possible based on presence of IgM and/or IgA and with medium-high IgG levels. Probable infections in the second trimester of pregnancy carries the same risk of transmission as seroconversions and pregnant women and their newborns in these cases should undergo the same diagnostic and therapeutic approach. It is suggested that newborns of mothers with certain and probable infection must be carefully observed and undergo clinical and serological testing to identify and treat the infection as soon as possible. In the case of possible or unlikely maternal infection, serological testing at longer intervals is nevertheless advisable without the need for treatment.

Background A prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) was previously performed in the Piemonte region in 2000. In the decade following the survey, many studies were performed at both the regional and hospital levels, and training courses were developed to address issues highlighted by the survey. In 2010, a second regional prevalence study was performed. The aim of this paper is to present the results of the second prevalence study and discuss them within the context of the HAI prevention and control programmes that have been implemented in the decade since the original survey was conducted. Methods The study involved all public hospitals in the Piemonte region. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the main risk factors associated with HAIs, including both overall and site-specific infections. Results A total of 7841 patients were enrolled: 6.8% were affected by at least one HAI. The highest prevalence of HAIs was found in intensive care units (18.0%, 95% CI 14.0-22.6), while UTIs presented the highest relative frequency (26.7%), followed by respiratory tract infections (21.9%). The age of the patient, hospital size and urinary and central venous catheter status were significantly associated with HAIs. Conclusions The study results showed an increase in HAI prevalence, despite prevention and control efforts, as well as training implemented after the first regional survey. Nevertheless, these data are consistent with the current literature. Furthermore, despite its limits, the prevalence approach remains an important means for involving healthcare workers, emphasising HAIs and revealing critical problems that need be addressed.

The purpose of this study was to identify the most cost-effective method for screening subjects for hepatitis B vaccination. Such a method would ideally permit detection of all susceptible individuals at the lowest possible cost. Two-hundred-five hospital workers from the Piedmont region of Italy participated in the study. The sero-epidemiological conditions of this group with regard to hepatitis B markers was representative of hospital workers in this region as a whole. All subjects, excluding carriers, persons with anti-HBs titers greater than or equal to 10 mIU and subjects positive for anti-HBc at a 1/100 dilution, were vaccinated. Their responses were evaluated 15 days and 1 month after vaccination. The presence of a booster effect following vaccination was correlated with the immunological status of the subject at the time of pre-vaccination screening. In the light of the results obtained, 5 screening procedures and the procedure of vaccination without screening were evaluated. The most cost effective screening strategy proved to be that of sequential testing for anti-HBc, anti-HBs and finally HBsAg and vaccination of the following subjects: those who were negative for anti-HBc, those who were anti-HBc-positive with anti-HBs titers 10 less than mIU and those who were HBsAg negative.